In short: A student HMO refurbishment upgrades a shared house let to students, using hard-wearing finishes and planned around the academic year so the work is finished before the next tenancy starts. In Caerphilly we survey first, price each item separately and hand over the certificates and photos a council asks for.
- Nation
- Wales
- Pricing region
- Wales
- Postcode areas
- CF
- Main towns
- Caerphilly, Gelligaer, Blackwood, Bargoed, Nelson (Caerphilly)
What does student HMO refurbishment in Caerphilly involve?
- Broadband and electrics upgrades
- Robust flooring and wipe-clean paint
- Summer works programme agreed in spring
- Photo handover before move-in
- Extra bathroom or ensuites
- Study space and sockets in every room
Which rules apply in Caerphilly?
- Councils such as Cardiff and Swansea run additional licensing for HMOs outside the mandatory scheme.
- Kitchen and bathroom ratios are set in each council’s HMO standards.
- Fitness for human habitation rules require mains-powered, interlinked smoke alarms on every storey and CO alarms where there is a gas, oil or solid-fuel appliance.
- An electrical inspection and test at least every 5 years, with the report given to the contract-holder within 14 days.
- Landlords must register with Rent Smart Wales, and those who manage their own lets need a Rent Smart Wales licence.
Welsh councils set their own HMO standards and may run additional licensing. In Wales, changing a house to a C4 HMO always needs planning permission, so check planning first.
How much does student HMO refurbishment cost in Caerphilly?
| Item | UK typical | Local guide | Per |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full refurbishment per letting room, with a share of communal areas (excludes kitchens, bathrooms and fire systems; our estimate) | £4,000 – £9,000 | £3,750 – £8,450 | letting room |
| Communal HMO kitchen with extra cooking and sink capacity (our estimate from domestic ranges) | £8,000 – £18,000 | £7,500 – £16,900 | kitchen |
| Shared bathroom refit | £5,500 – £9,000 | £5,150 – £8,450 | bathroom |
| Interlinked mains alarm system (Grade D type), small HMO (our estimate from installer guides) | £800 – £2,000 | £750 – £1,900 | house |
| Full rewire, 4–5 bedroom house | £6,000 – £12,000 | £5,650 – £11,300 | house |
Typical time on site: 2–8 weeks over summer. For a figure for your house, try the guide-price tool.
Student HMO refurbishment by town in Caerphilly
Questions about student HMO refurbishment in Caerphilly
Do student HMOs need a licence?
The same licensing rules apply as for any HMO. Many university towns also run additional licensing schemes, so we check the address.
Can you work around a 1 July or 1 September start?
Yes. We agree a programme backwards from the move-in date and tell you early if anything is at risk.
Do you carry out student HMO refurbishment across Caerphilly?
Yes, across the whole of Caerphilly, including Caerphilly, Gelligaer, Blackwood.
Who licenses HMOs in Caerphilly?
Caerphilly council licenses HMOs in its area. Landlords must also register with Rent Smart Wales.
Other HMO services in Caerphilly
- Void and between-tenancy refurbs in Caerphilly
- Communal kitchen refits in Caerphilly
- Ensuite installation in Caerphilly
- HMO fire safety upgrades in Caerphilly
- Bedroom upgrades and room refits in Caerphilly
- Full HMO refurbishment in Caerphilly
- Escape routes, emergency lighting and fire stopping in Caerphilly
- Licence condition and schedule-of-works in Caerphilly